The Bread of Life

The day after Jesus miraculously multiplied loaves and fish, the crowd He fed went looking for Him. They loaded into boats and stalked Jesus across the Sea of Galilee. When they found Him, Jesus knew the real reason they had come: “You are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:26-27).

The crowds didn’t yet understand the meaning of the Bread Jesus spoke of, so they took Him literally and hoped He would perform the miracle again. They begged, “Sir, give us this bread always!” (v. 34).

It sounds demanding, right? A little superficial? How could these people stand before the Son of God who offered them eternal life and demand more barley loaves instead?

It sounds ridiculous, but it also sounds familiar. I’ve done this before with my prayers and requests. I have often begged for bread (and when I am asking Him for bread, it’s the lower-case bread). I am asking for what I want instead of Jesus Himself. Because, admittedly, what I want is often not Jesus.

Our conversations might go something like this:

Me: I want a new job! I hate this one!Jesus: Here is contentment. It will put your soul at rest. This is what you need. Not a new job.

Me: I want a husband now because everyone else I know is getting married!Jesus: Here is trust. Trust in me and our relationship will deepen.

Me: I don’t know what to do. Give me a sign!Jesus: Here I am. My Spirit lives inside of you, guiding you all the time.

I need the same explanation the crowd did that day when Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.”

The Bread of Life is so much more than the bread I ask for. It endures (v. 27). It gives life to the whole world (v. 33). It is given freely to those who believe (v. 29). Those who eat it will abide in Christ, and Christ will abide in them (v. 56).

The true miracle of the Bread of Life is that Jesus is all we need. All that other stuff we are hoping will fill our bellies up? It is nothing compared to Christ Himself.

After a bit of refining and a lot of grace, my hope is that we will look up one day and realize that our prayers for perishable things can be simplified into one prayer. May we grow to want only one thing and passionately learn to pray, “Give us Jesus, always!”

It is a such a testament to the amazing God He is that He can be the answer to our superficial requests and even more than that, He often still chooses to bless us with this little things we are asking for at the same time. My struggle is that sometimes I get lost in those little things once he grants them and forget that ultimately, no matter what the prayer is, He is the fulfillment of my request. All the other things he does for me…those are just the trimmings.

You know, sometimes I forget the power that we as believers have available to tap into. I really like Psalm 29:10-11. I like the reminder that we can ask for strength and peace. So often, as I’m going through the day-to-day, struggling with the little things thrown in my path, I forget that His power is available to us ALWAYS… not just in the big things, but also in the little things… dealing with family and friends, dealing with a messy house that still needs undecorated from Christmas, dealing with a hurt foot that I know time will heal (but I lack the patience and peace to wait for it), and the list could go on. I forget to start my day asking for His strength and His peace! So, today, I’m going to make a brand new start. Papa, I lay the dailies (the little day-to-day struggles) at Your feet, and I ask You to meet me where I am today and give me Your strength and Your peace to make it through today. How amazing is it that You are our Daily Bread!! All we have to do is be near and ask!! Thank you, Father! Amen!!

Vs 11 ” and they all ate as much as they wanted” then in the next verse , Jesus has them gather all of the baskets with the leftovers…12!! I just chuckle every time I read this because God didn’t just make enough, he made plenty and all they could ever need. That is what He can do in our souls with His Bread of life. He can fill us to overflowing and have leftovers to pour over into those around us!

One thing that blew me away this morning was John 6:70 (Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, The Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil”). Jesus selected Judas Iscariot; He didn’t just permit him to follow Him, He made him part of His most intimate inner circle, knowing from the beginning that Judas would betray Jesus (v. 64). God’s grace is crazy, but it’s crazy good.

I enjoyed the word and devotion this morning. It’s so easy to go thru the course of the day or week and make requests to God for everything else but Him. May my prayer continually be “Give me Jesus, always”.

love this line – May we grow to want only one thing and passionately learn to pray, “Give us Jesus, always!”
Also love the verse 27 in John chapter 6 – where Jesus states “do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life. . .
So many struggle with deeds to validate their faith, we struggle with work and money issues – but God is there offering us all we need. I was reminded of The Lord’s Prayer – Give us this day our daily bread – He is our bread – He is all we need – All we seek.
Amen.

And I love that the Lord’s Prayer says “daily” not weekly or yearly. Reflecting back to the manna given to the Israelites in the desert, they were given that daily…as a matter of fact, if they collected more than what they needed daily, it rotted. This is a great lesson to us as Americans who consume and save and waste…we need to trust Jesus to give us that daily bread. That is all we need. Nothing more!

this confirmed whats been on my heart lately, a lot of people come to Christ to fulfill the “bread” in their lives forgetting that Christ came for more than that, He came so that we could have Him & have life eternal…

I am reading the KJV of this text and I must admit that I had a hard time following the part of John, where Jesus was explaining how he was the bread, his flesh and blood. The devotional gave a good explanation though, and helped me to understand.

I have asked and pleaded for bread many times over the years. I’ve cried out for healing from an eating disorder and other forms of mental illness. It used to drive me crazy why God was so silent. What I was doing was sin and yet I was powerless to stop. I felt like the silence was driving me so far away from him. Why wouldn’t he give me what I wanted when it would bring me closer to him??? I got to the point at a youth service when I wanted to turn my back on God. And in that moment I thought of my life without Christ. What I saw drove terror into my heart. Like the disciples, I found his Words hard,but I had no where else to go. These words in John 6:68-69 came into my head and became my prayer. I remember vividly falling to my knees and accepting God’s silence and His way. Even if I had this eating disorder my entire life, there was no one else to go go. I was His. There’s been no turning back since that point. In His timing, He has brought me through to some of the healing I longed for. It’s been long, heartbreaking and still ongoing on a smaller scale, but through it I have gained Christ!!!!! This devotion resonated so much for me because of this. I think I know what I need even to be a Christian, but God knows best. His intent is always to bring you closer to Himself and often suffering is His tool.

Oh friend, how I so wish to speak with you personally! We have so much in common, and I am inspired by what you said. I hope that your prayer to remember that even through tough struggles God is there. He won’t leave me, and I can’t leave Him bc he alone is the Good Provider!

I used to struggle with an eating disorder as well and experienced much the same as you did. I’ve been praying through the process and finally (5 years later) I feel healed and less broken. So glad you are also beginning to experience His peace and healing <3

I needed this today. Her examples of our requests and God’s responses really struck me. My husband and I have been praying for a baby for a long time now and I have still been unable to get pregnant. Today I woke up to yet another pregnancy announcement from one of my friends on social media and my heart sank. My heart cries out, “Why not me, Lord? Where is my bread?” In my self-centeredness He gently reminded me through this message that HE is my bread. He sees our hearts, He hears our petitions, but He whispers “trust me.” And how can I not trust Him? As Peter said in John 6:68 & 69, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Thank you for sharing this. It is so interesting that whatever stage we may be in, the ultimate truth is He is our bread, and He is enough. I will continue to pray this over you in this stage of your life, and also be praying for you to trust his plan for you and your husbands future.

I felt convicted to steer clear from social media lately with all the engagement/pregnancy announcements because I found it only made me inpatient with God and his timing. I have started to look at these announcements with anger, and jealousy, and felt that maybe I needed to stop obsessing about it and let God take control of my timeline.

Denny, I am so sorry; I prayed for you just now. I too struggled with infertility years ago. It is a pain and ache like no other. May God give you peace and comfort in His good and perfect plan for you and your husband. (He gave us two by adoption–can’t imagine life without them now!)

I too suffered through infertility for about 3 years. But God brought a beautiful baby girl from China into our lives and her surprised baby sister shortly thereafter.
Anyway, I got tired of the cliche “advice” and encouragement, so I’ll spare that for you too. This is a tough road to walk and every situation is different. Just know that you’re not alone in your suffering, even though it feels like you are. Or at least it did to me. Anyway, someone shared this post on FB recently and I think it’s just the sweetest thing. Scrolling through this lady’s blog now and it looks like she has some really good posts. Hope you can find encouragement and comfort there as well. Oh and I totally understand about social media. Take a break if you need to. And don’t be afraid to skip baby showers too. I did it and if they are your true friends, they will understand. :)http://barrentobeautiful.com/2016/09/21/why-god-took-so-long-to-give-me-a-baby/

Thank you Jesus that you are all I need. Everything else becomes nonessential when You are at the center of my world. I don’t have to please anyone, accomplish anything, reach certain goals; just love and be loved by You.

Reading this chapter today and especially the last paragraph here, it is an incredible reminder of where focus needs to be. It is easy to get caught up in the world instead of being caught up in Him. Allowing Him to be the foundation of all, allows the rest of your life to rest soundly. This is something I want to truly work on this year and I am very grateful He lead me to SRT to help me keep in His Word, intentionally. And as stated: Give me more of Jesus, Amen!

.”Intentionally” this is my word for this new year of 2017. to ask daily, sometimes hourly “give us this day our dailybread” Supernaturally living life by the Spirit. The peace and completeness that comes after communion, the remembering,the taking up of the cup and the bread,can be a figuarative,intentional daily activity. It says to the Lord,Today, I believe!

I think one thing that strikes me about the passage in John (and really all throughout Jesus’ ministry) is that He knows who doesn’t really believe, He knows those who will betray Him. And yet He still treats them with kindness and love. I think we could all use this push in the hiney to be more intentional about how we treat those that treat us badly, those we don’t like or have hurt us. We should always react to others in love.

Ladies,
This passage spoke to me today. I have been focusing less on Jesus as I’ve been ‘busy’ with work and my personal life. I applied for a new job at a place I would love to work at and I’ve been unhappy in my current job for quite some time. I needed these passages and the devotional to remind me that I need Jesus more than my desires. God will provide a new opportunity when he determines it is right. I know we all struggle with yearning more for Jesus and wanting to know our plan or what is next in our journey instantly. Praying for you all today!

Jesus,
I keep trading in worldly desires, the lusts of my flesh and so many other things, when what I need is the bread of life. I know that if I eat of you, I live and I am sustained. The lusts of my flesh is only a temporary fix, it never lasts long, but for some reason I keep indulging in what I know is lust, what I know is sin. Jesus I cry out in repentance, I cry out asking that you change this messy heart of mine, this messy desire I have, and help me to feed and find nourishment in the bread of life. I am so sorry that I continually pick the lesser thing. Lord help me. Help me Jesus.

“The true miracle of the Bread of Life is that Jesus is all we need. All that other stuff we are hoping will fill our bellies up? It is nothing compared to Christ Himself.” <—- THIS! This right here is what it's ALL about. I love today's message. Might be one of my faves

At church yesterday, our pastor told us about Sanctity of Human Life Sunday coming up this weekend and challenged us to do something to get involved. Specifically, fasting is what our church has picked as it’s way to be involved, so he challenged us to do that however long we can, and to use that to focus on pleading to the Lord for the lives of so many unborn babies. I so want to be a part of this- not seeking earthly bread, but seeking Jesus, the Bread of Life. However, I am pregnant and that might not be feasible for me. So, SRT sisters, first, can anyone think of a substitute I can use to food but still have a way to fast? And second, would any of you consider participating in this very tangible reminder of seeking the true Bread, rather than our earthly bread? Even if I can’t, I think God placed it on my heart to open it up and ask others here to do so. It just seems to go with today’s lesson so beautifully. Definitely a God moment for me, either way :)

You are a momma to be so you have to eat. My suggestion would be to have intentional meals that are healthy for you and your baby – and perhaps forego snacks or treats that you don’t necessarily need. In addition add specific prayer time throughout the day for unborn babies. :-)

I don’t know if it is feasible with your job, but you could have a time of silence. I can’t do a true fast either, so I will “Daniel fast” (water and vegetables) and remain silent for the period I am fasting. It is much harder than you would think it would be, and the silence really makes room for the Lord’s voice to be heard!

You can fast more then just food! Fasting food is an important part of our faith, but in this time maybe considering fasting social media, television, or something else you spend significant time doing. Then, be intentional to fill that time with prayer and contemplation- not something else! Best of luck, and congrats on your soon to be little one!

This is such a beautiful message and reminder of what is really important! I would constantly ask for perishable things, things that really have no significance in my life. I may do it now and then but then I remember what is really essential and that is God himself. For my body and life to be filled with His Holy presence. And when I ask for things I may desperately need, for instance, money because I have important bills to pay, I always remind myself God is in control, He is my provider and I have nothing to fear or worry about. He is faithful and will always watch out for me. All I have to do is trust in Him and do my best in leading others to Him and His ways. Amen! I love this devotional.

This is exactly what I needed to hear. I so often pray for God to leave me a trail of bread crumbs to get by and know what path to take in life, but He’s already given me the loaf. The capital B Bread. This gave me so much peace.

Ouch… it was almost a little hard to read about asking for bread when he wants to give us the bread of life, because I do it so often. I’m realizing more and more how my own expectations and desires to make those happen can never actually lead to peace. Isn’t it funny how striving for more so often gets us so much less? Taking time today to be still and listen to my heart and the good God who wants to guide me home. May today be all about finding rest in his truth, not our desires!

This lesson has been resonating in my hear and spirit for a while now. I have been -clearly- listening to the Holy Spirit whispering: ¨Jesus is your treasure. He is REALLY all you need¨. Sometimes this truth is spoken lightly, because it sounds so romantic. But that does not make it any less true. Every time I pray for a husband or a new path in my career with anxiety in my heart (to be honest, that is almost all the time) something stops me for a second and I remember: Jesus is your treasure. That thing I am `dying to have`in my life could not ever fill me up the way Jesus can. At the beginning of this year, I asked to myself: What if I make it my goal to go on this adventure of believing Jesus is actually all I need and my most treasured gift? This totally changes my perspective on life today.

That realization that “Jesus in my treasure” is so life-changing, yet so hard to grasp. I’m glad I’m not the only one who keeps struggling with it! Thanks for your reflections today, hoping you get closer to finding that peace from God ☺

I definitely needed this today. I’ve been seeking bread, not the Bread of life for a while now in my prayers. I seek His gifts, but not contentment in Him.

Oh Lord that You would renew my desire for You! When I weep to you over my barren womb, help me to see that I have all I need in You. Help me to be content with You alone. I know my desire for a child is a holy one, but you are the Holy One and I already have You! Thank You for choosing me and loving me and wanting me, despite my broken views and upside down prayers. Today, I seek You.

I don’t want to wait until I’m starving to ask for Bread. May Your Spirit move me to come to You every single day to receive the sustenance I need. Help me to find fulfillment in You instead of munching on worldy snacks to satisfy a momentary craving.

Ah, yes, the “I wants” vs “I needs”, I am familiar with this, even clearly this morning. Last night, my yearly 7-year-old woke around 11:30 and did not go back to sleep. He crawled in bed with us and wrestled with being awake multiple hours before I finally sent him to his room to play until tired, at which point, I was wide awake as well. I laid there, knowing that today is the first day back to lessons and that I was going to need to rest and preparedness on my heart today, so I begged for sleep. I was desperate for it. But I recall something I’d heard years ago, “If you can’t sleep perhaps it because Jesus wants you awake. Perhaps He is longing for time with you and the middle of the night is the only time you can absolutely hear Him.” How true is this? So often, during the day my relationship with Christ, gets shorted. I try to stay in a position of constant conversation with Christ but days like yesterday when my eldest returned to college, there is much distraction and external conversation, which serves to push away those conversations with our Maker. Maybe being wide awake in the middle of the night is more like receiving that emergency phone call from a friend after hours because Jesus loves us enough to seek us at all hours. I needn’t worry about lack of sleep or energy … He IS the bread of life and will surely sustain and provide all I need as I move through each day. Additionally, Saturday was the 6 year anniversary of my sweet Momma’s death. I was reminded that even then, on that dark day, my amazing Father provided exactly what I needed at the very moment I needed it. I wanted my mother, He gave me a gorgeous sky and a sunset like I’ve never seen to enjoy on an incredibly stressful drive home. One I will never forget and one that served to remind me of my Mom’s new life with Him. His little love notes come in so many ways, all we have to do is stop to enjoy them. Happy Monday friends! ~ B

For me, whenever I see a red cardinal I am reminded He is with us. I think it’s their bright color that stands out against everything else. No matter what it is that day, I’m so happy he sends them! His little love notes are all around us! I hope you and your crew have a good day back at lessons!

Needed this this morning!
Nothing in this world will satisfy. Only Jesus will. He’s teaching me right now to be content in Him. To stop looking to false loves of this world that will never be enough, but to look to Him alone!! To fix my eyes upon my Author and Perfecter!! ❤

I’m a senior in highschool, and lately I’ve been wondering what I want to study in college and be when I grow up…I’m thinking about being a veterinarian, but something else also popped up in my mind…being a worship leader/Christian artist…saying it sounds a little far off, but I don’t know…they are both so different. I love animals and I love music, especially worship music. I’ve been asking God to show me what He wants for me, but I think this devo answered it. To find what God wants for me is to first find God. To chase after him in everything. The closer I am to Him, the more He will speak to my heart. I need to continue to have the Bread of Life and know that I don’t need answers, I just need Him. Wow. Hard, but worth it. Praying that I will chase after God’s heart first.

Sarah you are far ahead of me when I was your age. Seek God first and you will avoid a world of heartbreak. He truly is all that will satisfy and what a wonderful thing that you are seeing this so young. Seek Him and He will guide you.

This is a quote from Ruth Stull that I’ve read in Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot (which is an incredible book!): “If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad.”
It is a reminder that Jesus does not expect me to come to Him whole, in one piece. It is enough if I come to Him broken and falling apart. It is in brokenness that He often does the most incredible things. So thankful for today’s reading!

“Me: I want a new job! I hate this one!….Jesus: Here is contentment. It will put your soul at rest. This is what you need. Not a new job.” This was God’s 2×4 for me this morning. I have been struggling with discouragement at my job for a while and He is constantly drawing me back to Himself and reminding me the only thing that will satisfy me is more of Him, not a “better” job or more ideal circumstances.

I have been praying/maybe wanting the same thing (possibly what I see others have – successful jobs). I was a stay at home mom for over 11 years, really loved every minute of it! We did not have everything but God provided thru the years (even though we made many mistakes financially – he was with us). I see that now.. Three years ago, my husband lost his job, he found another but I needed to go back to work too. I have struggled so in those 3 years as I see thru other women my age and much younger (who they are – job title – financially). I see where I could have been if I had not stayed home. Now I had to start all over, it has been really hard, definitely not comfortable, like I don’t have a place to belong. After 3 years I still don’t feel as if I fit in..so I have prayed, prayed for God to lead me, show me, help me see where he wants me to be. What a great devotion today – to see “He” is all I need! Prayers please to remember this, to see him first, to rest in him. Thank you! Praises :)

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to BELIEVE and KNOW that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
So many times I distinguish between “knowing” in my bead and “believing” in my heart. And today, that doesn’t make any sense to me. If I know it, than I believe it. I can’t distinguish between knowing and believing for physical things, and I can’t do it for spiritual things either. Either I know AND believe, or I don’t. Lord, Jesus, You are Lord of lords and King of kings. May I live this truth out every day. More of You, Lord.

More Jesus, less me! Yesterday our pastor spoke about how, especially this time of year, everyone makes resolutions and they are often all the things we are going to do more of. I’m going to do more Bible studies. I’m going to write in my prayer journal every day. I’m going to do a monthly service project. But this list of things is still focused on ourselves. I’m doing this, I’m doing more, me, me, me… But if what we really want is more of Him, perhaps it starts with doing less “stuff” and leaving more room for Him. More space for Him to fill. (As a task-oriented goal-driven checklist-writing person, this is sometimes a hard idea to wrap my brain around.)

“The Bread of Life is so much more than the bread I ask for.” This is truth I so desperately needed to hear. It’s like He’s now saying, “Here’s the deal – now I am the Bread. This bread no longer matters. If that’s the thing you’re hungry for then you’re going to be starving for the rest of your life. You think you love me because I’ve given you something you thought you needed and if that’s the way you continue to live your life, you will be starving every single day of your life. Everything you’ve ever understood about hunger and thirst is now about me.”
Lord, I pray for more of You.

That song was our song of invitation at the end of church yesterday! It has been in my head since then. The sermon was based on Matthew 6:19-21 but ties in really well with today’s devotional too. Thanks for sharing!

I continually pray for refinement and grace. I am living in a world of wants, I know what it’s like to keep asking instead of seeking. Lord, I pray that as I am searching for you, you become my greatest want. I want a relationship so deep in you that when prayers are not filled the way I had hoped, I still trust and find hope in you. I will continue to read your truths to learn more about your good works and redeeming character. Amen.

As I read through the Bible passages, I felt the Holy Spirit say to look beyond my prayers and seek first the kingdom…seek to know the Bread of Life. Look at my prayer life with fresh eyes… thank you Jesus for who you are period. The answered prayers is just icing on the cake.

Andrea, you challenge me this morning to look over my prayer journal and transform those requests from perishable things to “give me Jesus! In all these things, give me Jesus only. Take me from superficial desires to whatever You desire for me. Amen.”

This has completely turned my perspective on its head. I have always prayed for specific wants, needs, and what I thought I needed in that moment. I have never once stopped and just prayed for more of Jesus. What a wild idea. Thank you SRT for placing this perspective in today’s devotional.

Like Paul, I want to learn to be content in every situation- I don’t want to get caught up still saying that ” I’ll be happier if I have more” or “I’ll be happier when”. Because honestly, everything we could ever want or need is found in Him! I want to stop chasing after things that are fading away and choose Him over all, everyday.
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,

Kept reading the phrase” everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” today. Thankful for Jesus’ promises of peace, strength and that we will be raised up.